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Brutal Fights Caught On Tape At Hayward High School

HAYWARD (CBS 5) - Police have stepped up patrols at Hayward High School following a string of brawls that may be tied to local gangs, some of the fights were recently caught on cell phone video.

Massive fights broke out last Thursday, and were followed up the next day after class. Video, which was posted on YouTube, suggests tensions between African-American and Latino students, with the possibility of a gang influence involved.

Students who spoke to CBS 5 Thursday said the violence isn't that surprising at a school where gang colors are worn openly.

KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:

The school has a dress code, and claims to prohibit the wearing of red or blue. While some schools in the district have a zero-tolerance policy on gang colors, our reporters found students openly wearing prohibited clothing Thursday.

Superintendent Janis Duran said, despite the fight videos, Hayward High is a safe place for students.

"What we really concentrate on is making sure when they're with us, when they're under our care, before, after school…that they feel safe and they are safe," said Duran.

The school was outfitted with security cameras in the last two years, and just won a commendation for taking steps to increase safety.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )

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